Lieberman will remain historic, iconic

Published 5:40 pm, Tuesday, January 22, 2013

To the editor:

In less than four years, when the political epithets are written for Barack Obama, they will most likely read something to the effect of: "former community organizer, briefly an undistinguished U.S. senator, and two-term president who presided over an unprecedented growth in the federal deficit, crushing economic decline and diminished standing for America around the world." Obama will write a book that a publishing house will lose money on and become like Bill Clinton: very, very rich from speaking engagements and other endeavors. Barack will join Dan Malloy, Dick Blumenthal and soon be followed by Chris Murphy in some vaguely recalled fraternity, gone from the stage, destined for deserved obscurity, wandering like political ghosts.

In those same four years, it will still be hard to attach any such label to recently retired U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman. Impossible to pare his 24 years of distinguished service down to fully serviceable words and understanding. A seminal world figure, an enemy of cultural hegemony and an intransigent proponent of freedom around the world. There was no real way for Lieberman to be understood, at least not locally, and The Advocate has been wise in not attempting an explanation. It would be akin to living in Memphis in the 1950s and trying to grasp Elvis, an equally bold figure who was also forced to the edges because of the huge and complex nature of his ambition.

There has not been as openly a religious public figure in America since Tom Landry, and as with the great Dallas Cowboys coach, Lieberman's prestige will grow as a figure unyielding in his dedication to God and country. That is the image Sen. Lieberman has always projected: stoic, a man of faith, unbroken and unbowed.

Years from now we will still be debating Lieberman's impact and discussing the courage of his commitment. As with any great and historic American figure, there will be disagreement, and I am sure the senator would not want it any other way. Within those differences is part of the power of America, honest debate, something lost in the nature of politics today. Because Lieberman aimed so high, achieved so much and stood so firmly when his own party in an act of abject cowardice abandoned him, he will remain an iconic figure long into retirement.

I contend that it is our right, as a nation, as families and as individuals, to have the right to life. We should not be faced with the constant fear of loss of life due to gun violence. The events in Newtown are soul crushing and difficult to comprehend. As I think more about it, any life lost due to gun violence is a tragedy not just for the family in grief, but for all of us.

The time is now for common-sense gun-safety measures. Measures such as universal background checks and limits on the number of bullets in magazines are measures that we should all support. If it only protects one child, somewhere in these United States, isn't that enough? Isn't that better than doing nothing? Or do we truly believe that the right for a person to buy a weapon designed for killing people trumps the right to life?

I do not. I do not believe that this is who we are as a nation. In the coming days, we will have a chance to express our opinions and get our leaders to make difficult decisions on gun safety. Let us promise to push them in the right direction, if not for you, then for the school children.